Solar Powered Automatic Swimming Pool Cover Reel Assembly and Control System Driven by a Mini Direct Current (DC) Motor

ABSTRACT

A system that is used as a pool cover control system includes a remote control, a height-adjustable base, a unit housing, a controller unit, and a motor. The remote control is used to transfer a signal. The transferred signal is received by a remote control signal receiver of the controller unit. When received, the signal is transferred to the motor through a polarity reversing switch. The rotational direction of the motor is determined by the polarity reversing switch. The motor is powered by a rechargeable battery which is recharged by at least one solar panel attached to a solar panel stand. The motor transfers rotational momentum to a gear assembly that consists of a drive gear and a torque gear. Next, the gear assembly transfers rotational momentum to a rotation shaft. A reel interface connected to the rotation shaft controls the pool cover.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patentapplication Ser. No. 61/910,487 filed on Dec. 2, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to pool cover apparatuses. Morespecifically, the present invention is an apparatus that can be utilizedto control the pool cover such that the pool can be either covered oruncovered when required.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Swimming is one of the most favored activities throughout the world.Individuals participate in swimming for recreational purposes and alsodue to the health benefits that can be achieved from swimming. In orderto meet the increasing demand, swimming pools are frequently installedin gymnasiums and residential areas. Most gymnasiums have indoor pools,whereas most residential areas have outdoor pools. Both indoor pools andoutdoor pools require a considerable financial investment.

Among the many expenses, maintenance is the most costly expense and alsothe most underestimated expense. When comparing indoor pools and outdoorpools, outdoor pools have a higher maintenance cost mainly due to theexposure. However, maintenance costs can be greatly reduced if the poolis covered and protected when not in use. In order to do so, a varietyof pool covers and pool cover controllers are available in the markettoday. Unfortunately, the pool covers and pool cover controllersavailable today come with a series of disadvantages.

Manually operated pool covers are difficult to operate and require acertain amount of manual dexterity and strength to cover and uncover thepool. They often require two people to cover the pool. When vacating thepool consumers often neglect to cover the pool and as a result thebenefits of the pool cover are lost. As a result, many manually operatedreel systems are moved to a remote part of the pool area and are notused to cover the pool.

Electrically powered pool cover controllers are among the most widelyused automatic pool cover controllers. However, the electrically poweredpool cover controllers have a series of disadvantages. For instance,these controllers are expensive and also fail if water seeps through toa power outlet or an electrical connection supplying power to thecontroller. The repairing costs related to such failures can besignificant. The inability to use the pool due to the repairs is anotherdisadvantage. Moreover, most electrically powered controllers require acable or tether to guide the pool cover. The cables or tethers can harmthe aesthetic appearance of the pool and also be hazardous to users. Forinstance, cables and tether lines in the vicinity of the pool can be atripping hazard to the user of the pool and other individuals in theregion of the pool.

Water controlled pool cover controllers are also used in today'ssociety. One of the main disadvantages of the system is the need todrain the system in cold weather conditions. Draining the system isessential in order to reduce fracturing of the motor parts or tubingused in the system. The draining procedure can be both time consumingand stressful to the user. As experienced by many individuals, the waterpressure of a public water supply is not always constant. As a result,the power supplied to the controller also fluctuates. Such fluctuationscan be disadvantageous to the user since the reel interface of the poolcover controller may not be functional. The high price of the waterdriven controllers is another significant disadvantage. Furthermore,certain water controlled pool cover controllers are limited to beoperational in a single direction. More specifically, these watercontrolled pool cover controllers can be used to uncover the pool butnot cover the pool. As a result, the user has to manually cover thepool.

The objective of the present invention is to address the aforementionedissues. In particular, the present invention allows the user to cover oruncover the pool conveniently within a short time period. In doing so,the present invention does not require human power, electricity from anexternal outlet, or kinetic energy from a water controlled system.Instead, the present invention is powered through a direct currentgenerated by solar energy. As a result, the present invention is lessexpensive than a pool cover control system powered by an alternatingcurrent. Furthermore, the present invention is more convenient whencompared to a water controlled pool cover controller. Since the systemis controlled through a remote control, the user can cover or uncoverthe pool with greater convenience. Additionally, the remote controleliminates the need to have electrical connections or plumbingconnections extended to the pool cover controller which eliminates thecluttering around the pool. The effective design also allows the presentinvention to be utilized with a variety of pool covers at a preferredheight. In comparison to electrically powered pool cover controllers andwater controlled pool cover controllers, the present invention can beutilized with minimum alterations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the present invention, wherein thereel interface is attached to the rotation shaft.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention, wherein the solarpanel stand is rotated about the unit housing.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the incremental rotationmechanism.

FIG. 5 is another exploded view of the incremental rotation mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the gear train of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the gear train of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the process flow of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the process flow within the unithousing of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of the polarity reversing switch, wherein thepolarity reversing switch is in its first configuration.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of the polarity reversing switch, wherein thepolarity reversing switch is in its second configuration.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of the screw locking mechanism of the presentinvention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describingselected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limitthe scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a pool cover reel assembly that is used tocover a pool or uncover a pool efficiently. Proper covering of the poolis essential in the maintenance process of a pool. By covering the pool,the user can reduce expenses associated with water evaporation and alsoeliminate issues that can arise with chemical imbalance in the pool.However, the expenses associated with the available pool covercontrollers and their inefficiency has caused major problems to poolowners. The present invention introduces an economical and efficientpool cover reel assembly that addresses the issues at hand. Mostimportantly, the effective design allows the user to utilize the presentinvention as a new pool cover control system or as a replacement to anexisting pool cover controller system at a minimal cost.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the present invention comprises a remotecontrol 1, a height-adjustable base 2, at least one solar panel 12, asolar panel stand 120, a unit housing 5, a controller unit 6, and amotor 10. The user utilizes the remote control 1 to transfer signalsremotely to the controller unit 6. As a result, the pool is covered oruncovered according to the signals received from the remote control 1.According to user instructions, the pool can also be partially coveredby the pool cover. The height-adjustable base 2 allows the user toutilize the present invention at a preferred height. The solar panel 12provides power to all the electrical components of the presentinvention.

The use of the solar panel 12 not only reduces the cost related to powersources, but also increases safety and efficiency. The solar panel 12 ismounted onto solar panel stand 120 as seen in FIG. 1. In the preferredembodiment of the present invention, the solar panel 12 is adhered ontothe solar panel stand 120. However, in another embodiment of the presentinvention, a different attachment mechanism can be utilized. Since thesolar panel stand 120 is rotatably mounted onto the unit housing 5 withan incremental rotation mechanism 13, the solar panel 12 can be directedin a desired direction in order to obtain maximum efficiency. Morespecifically, the solar panel stand 120 is rotatably mounted onto theunit housing 5 opposite to the height-adjustable base 2. The unithousing 5 is adjacently mounted onto the height-adjustable base 2allowing the present invention to be used at a preferred height. Thecontroller unit 6 dictates the rotational motion according to the signalreceived from the user. More specifically, the controller unit 6 rotatesthe motor 10 in either a clockwise direction or a counterclockwisedirection. For instance, the present invention can be set up such that,the clockwise rotation of the motor 10 covers the pool whereas thecounterclockwise rotation of the motor 10 uncovers the pool.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the controller unit 6 comprises a remotecontrol signal receiver 7, a polarity reversing switch 8, and arechargeable battery 9. The solar panel 12 is the power source for theelectrical components of the present invention. In doing so, the solarpanel 12 is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery 9 suchthat the rechargeable battery 9 can store sufficient charge to bedistributed among the electrical components. Furthermore, the solarpanel 12 provides constant charge to the remote control signal receiver7 in order to efficiently receive signals from the remote control 1.

The rechargeable battery 9 is electrically connected to the motor 10through remote control signal receiver 7 and the polarity reversingswitch 8. As a result of the electrical connection, the rechargeablebattery 9 provides power to the motor 10. Since the electricalconnection is completed through the polarity reversing switch 8 and theremote control signal receiver 7, the user can change the rotationalmotion of the motor 10 as desired. In order to reverse the direction ofthe motor 10, the polarity reversing switch 8 can be, but is not limitedto, a single pole, double throw switch. The polarity reversing switch 8in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated inFIGS. 10 and FIG. 11. As mentioned earlier, the user transfers signalsto the controller unit 6 through the remote control 1. The signalstransferred from the remote control 1 are received and processed by theremote control signal receiver 7. In order to do so, the remote control1 is communicably coupled to the remote control signal receiver 7.Furthermore, the remote control signal receiver 7 is electronicallyconnected to the polarity reversing switch 8. The electrical connectionbetween the remote control signal receiver 7 and the polarity reversingswitch 8 ensures that the signal from the remote control 1 is accuratelytransferred to the motor 10. For the present invention to be used with avariety of pool covers, the present invention comprises a reel interface11. The reel interface 11 is illustrated in FIG. 2. In order to transferthe rotational motion from the motor 10 to the reel interface 11, themotor 10 is torsionally connected to the reel interface 11.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the present invention comprises agear train 15 and a rotation shaft 18. The gear train 15 is utilized tocontrol the speed and rotational direction of the reel interface 11.More specifically, the gear train 15 is essential to determine thedirection and speed the pool cover moves in. Furthermore, the gear train15 is also beneficial to determine the lifting force necessary touncover the pool. In the process of rotating the reel interface 11, themotor 10 is mechanically coupled to the gear train 15 such that themotor 10 rotatably drives the gear train 15. As a result, the motor 10initially transfers rotational momentum to the gear train 15. The outputfrom the gear train 15 is drawn out from the rotation shaft 18. The geartrain 15 is mechanically coupled to the rotation shaft 18, which allowsthe gear train 15 to rotatably drive the rotation shaft 18. Furthermore,the rotation shaft 18 is axially connected to the reel interface 11 suchthat the rotational motion is transferred to the reel interface 11through the rotation shaft 18. Additionally, the reel interface 11 isconcentrically positioned onto the rotation shaft 18. As seen in FIG. 1,the rotation shaft 18 traverses out of the unit housing 5. Thepositioning of the rotation shaft 18 separates the reel interface 11from the rest of the components as shown in FIG. 3.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gear train 15comprises an input gear 16, a plurality of intermediate gears 150, andan output gear 17. The input gear 16, the plurality of intermediategears 150, and the output gear 17 are illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.The number of gears included in the plurality of intermediate gears 150can differ in another embodiment of the present invention. The inputgear 16 is rotatably and internally mounted within the unit housing 5.The motor 10 is axially connected to the input gear 16 such that theinput gear 16 can be driven by the rotational motion of the motor 10.Similar to the input gear 16, the plurality of intermediate gears 150and the output gear 17 is also rotatably and internally mounted withinthe unit housing 5. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the input gear 16 isengaged to the plurality of intermediate gears 150 within the unithousing 5. In order to transfer the rotational motion along the geartrain 15, the plurality of intermediate gears 150 is engaged to eachother and is configured to increase the torque and reduce the angularspeed of the rotational motion from the motor 10. Next, the plurality ofintermediate gears 150 is engaged to the output gear 17 within the unithousing 5. Moreover, the rotation shaft 18 is axially connected to theoutput gear 17 as illustrated in FIG. 6.

The height-adjustable base 2 allows the present invention to install thepresent invention at a preferred height. The height-adjustable base 2comprises a base plate 200, a first tubular section 3, and a secondtubular section 4 as illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 12. The firsttubular section 3 is connected normal to the base plate 200. The baseplate 200 provides stability to the structure of the present invention.The second tubular section 4 is telescopically engaged with the firsttubular section 3 opposite the base plate 200. The telescopic engagementallows the second tubular section 4 to slide over the first tubularsection 3 which remains stationary. More specifically, the telescopicengagement allows the user to adjust the rotation shaft 18 to apreferred height. The stationary first tubular section 3 and the baseplate 200 can be made of, but is not limited to, a material such as woodor plastic. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, theunit housing 5 which is fixed to the second tubular section 4, and thesolar panel unit stand 120 rotatably mounted onto the unit housing 5 issecured at a desired height with a screw locking mechanism 19. The screwlocking mechanism 19 comprises an at least one screw 20 and a pluralityof receiving holes 21. The screw locking mechanism 19 is illustrated inFIG. 12. The plurality of receiving holes 21 is distributed along thesecond tubular section 4. Furthermore, the plurality of receiving holes21 traverses through the second tubular section 4. Therefore, when theat least one screw 20 is positioned into one of the plurality ofreceiving holes 21, the at least one screw 20 is fixed to the firsttubular section 3. Since the plurality of receiving holes 21 isdistributed along the second tubular section 4, the components above thefirst tubular section 3 are secured at a preferred height when the atleast one screw 20 is fixed to the first tubular section 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the solar panel stand 120 is rotatably mountedonto the unit housing 5 opposite to the second tubular section 4. Theincremental rotation mechanism 13 used for the solar panel stand 120 isillustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. The ability to rotate is especiallyimportant to the present invention since the electrical components arepowered through the solar panel 12. The incremental rotation mechanism13 that helps the solar unit stand 120 to rotate is a hermetic sealbetween the solar panel stand 120 and the unit housing 5. In thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, the solar panel stand 120can be rotated in 90 degree increments. As a result, the user can beguaranteed that water does not seep through to the internal componentsthrough the unit housing 5. Even though the incremental rotationmechanism is utilized in the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, a different rotation mechanism can be used in anotherembodiment of the present invention.

In utilizing the present invention the following process flow isfollowed. Initially, the present invention is placed at an appropriateposition. More specifically, the present invention is placed in closeproximity to the tube in which the pool cover is rolled in. Generally,the tube is longer than the width of the pool with open ends at eitherside. The reel interface 11 of the present invention is designed toposition into either one of the open ends. Therefore, when positioningthe present invention, the user adjusts the height of the second tubularsection 4 such that the reel interface 11 fits into either one of theopen ends of the tube. Once, the reel interface 11 is positioned, thesolar panel stand 120 is rotated in a direction suitable to charge thesolar panel 12. Once the setup is complete, the user can control thepool cover with the use of the remote control 1. For instance, when theuser transmits a signal to cover the pool, the remote control signalreceiver 7 receives the signal. According to the signal received fromthe remote control 1, the polarity reversing switch 8 illustrated inFIG. 10 and FIG. 11 either rotates the motor 10 in a clockwise directionor a counterclockwise direction. The necessary power is supplied by therechargeable battery 9 that is charged by the solar panel 12. Inaccordance to the rotational direction of the motor 10, the input gear16 rotates in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The pluralityof intermediate gears 150 and the output gear 17, that are engaged tothe input gear 16, rotates in a direction corresponding to the inputgear 16. The rotational motion of the output gear 17 is transferred tothe reel interface 11 through the rotation shaft 18. Since the reelinterface 11 is positioned within the tube that is attached to the poolcover, the pool cover either rolls in or rolls out according to therotational motion of the reel interface 11.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for controlling the cover used onpools comprises: a remote control; a height-adjustable base; a unithousing; a solar panel stand; a controller unit; a motor; a reelinterface; at least one solar panel; the controller unit comprises aremote control signal receiver, a polarity reversing switch, and arechargeable battery; the unit housing adjacently mounted onto theheight adjustable base; the solar panel stand being rotatably mountedonto the unit housing, opposite to the height-adjustable base; the solarpanel being mounted onto the solar panel stand; the solar panel beingelectrically connected to the rechargeable battery; the rechargeablebattery being electrically connected to the motor through the polarityreversing switch and the remote control signal receiver; the remotecontrol signal receiver being electronically connected to the polarityreversing switch; the remote control being communicably coupled to theremote control signal receiver; and the motor being torsionallyconnected to the reel interface.
 2. The apparatus for controlling thecover used on pools as claimed in claim 1, wherein the solar panel isadhered onto the solar panel stand.
 3. The apparatus for controlling thecover used on pools as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a gear train; arotation shaft; the motor being mechanically coupled to the gear train,wherein the motor rotatably drives the gear train; the gear train beingmechanically coupled to the rotation shaft, wherein the gear trainrotatably drives the rotation shaft; and the rotation shaft beingaxially connected to the reel interface.
 4. The apparatus forcontrolling the cover used on pools as claimed in claim 3 comprises: therotation shaft traversing out of the unit housing; and the reelinterface being concentrically positioned onto the rotation shaft. 5.The apparatus for controlling the cover used on pools as claimed inclaim 3 comprises: the gear train comprises an input gear, a pluralityof intermediate gears, and an output gear; the input gear beingrotatably and internally mounted within the unit housing; the pluralityof intermediate gears being rotatably and internally mounted within theunit housing; the output gear being rotatably and internally mountedwithin the unit housing; the motor being axially connected to the inputgear; the input gear being engaged to the plurality of intermediategears; the plurality of intermediate gears being serially engaged toeach other; the plurality of intermediate gears being engaged to theoutput gear; and the rotation shaft being axially connected to theoutput gear.
 6. The apparatus for controlling the cover used on pools asclaimed in claim 1 comprises: the height adjustable base comprises abase plate, a first tubular section, and a second tubular section; thefirst tubular section being connected normal to the base plate; thesecond tubular section being telescopically engaged with the firsttubular section, opposite to the base plate; and the unit housing beingrotatably mounted onto the second tubular section, opposite to the firsttubular section.
 7. The apparatus for controlling the cover used onpools as claimed in claim 6 comprises: a screw locking mechanism; thescrew locking mechanism comprises an at least one screw and a pluralityof receiving holes; the plurality of receiving holes traversing throughthe second tubular section; the plurality of receiving holes beingdistributed along the second tubular section; the at least one screwpositioned into one of the plurality of receiving holes; and the atleast one screw being fixed to the first tubular section.
 8. Theapparatus for controlling the cover used on pools as claimed in claim 1comprises: an incremental rotation mechanism; the solar panel standbeing rotatably mounted onto the unit housing by the incrementalrotation mechanism; and the incremental rotation mechanism being ahermetic seal between the solar panel stand and the unit housing.
 9. Anapparatus for controlling the cover used on pools comprises: a remotecontrol; a height-adjustable base; a unit housing; a solar panel stand;a controller unit; a motor; a reel interface; at least one solar panel;a gear train; a rotation shaft; the controller unit comprises a remotecontrol signal receiver, a polarity reversing switch, and a rechargeablebattery; the unit housing adjacently mounted onto the height adjustablebase; the solar panel stand being rotatably mounted onto the unithousing, opposite to the height-adjustable base; the solar panel beingmounted onto the solar panel stand; the solar panel being electricallyconnected to the rechargeable battery; the rechargeable battery beingelectrically connected to the motor through the polarity reversingswitch and the remote control signal receiver; the remote control signalreceiver being electronically connected to the polarity reversingswitch; the remote control being communicably coupled to the remotecontrol signal receiver; the motor being torsionally connected to thereel interface; the solar panel being adhered to the solar panel stand;the motor being mechanically coupled to the gear train, wherein themotor rotatably drives the gear train; the gear train being mechanicallycoupled to the rotation shaft, wherein the gear train rotatably drivesthe rotation shaft; and the rotation shaft being axially connected tothe reel interface.
 10. The apparatus for controlling the cover used onpools as claimed in claim 9 comprises: the rotation shaft traversing outof the unit housing; the reel interface being concentrically positionedonto the rotation shaft; the gear train comprises an input gear, aplurality of intermediate gears, and an output gear; the input gearbeing rotatably and internally mounted within the unit housing; theplurality of intermediate gears being rotatably and internally mountedwithin the unit housing; the output gear being rotatably and internallymounted within the unit housing; the motor being axially connected tothe input gear; the input gear being engaged to the plurality ofintermediate gears; the plurality of intermediate gears being seriallyengaged to each other; the plurality of intermediate gears being engagedto the output gear; and the rotation shaft being axially connected tothe output gear.
 11. The apparatus for controlling the cover used onpools as claimed in claim 9 comprises: a screw locking mechanism; theheight adjustable base comprises a base plate, a first tubular section,and a second tubular section; the first tubular section being connectednormal to the base plate; the second tubular section beingtelescopically engaged with the first tubular section, opposite to thebase plate; the unit housing being rotatably mounted onto the secondtubular section, opposite to the first tubular section; the screwlocking mechanism comprises an at least one screw and a plurality ofreceiving holes; the plurality of receiving holes traversing through thesecond tubular section; the plurality of receiving holes beingdistributed along the second tubular section; the at least one screwpositioned into one of the plurality of receiving holes; and the atleast one screw being fixed to the first tubular section.
 12. Theapparatus for controlling the cover used on pools as claimed in claim 9comprises: an incremental rotation mechanism; the solar panel standbeing rotatably mounted onto the unit housing by the incrementalrotation mechanism; and the incremental rotation mechanism being ahermetic seal between the solar panel stand and the unit housing.
 13. Anapparatus for controlling the cover used on pools comprises: a remotecontrol; a height-adjustable base; a unit housing; a solar panel stand;a controller unit; a motor; a reel interface; at least one solar panel;a gear train; an incremental rotation mechanism; the controller unitcomprises a remote control signal receiver, a polarity reversing switch,and a rechargeable battery; the unit housing adjacently mounted onto theheight adjustable base; the solar panel stand being rotatably mountedonto the unit housing, opposite to the height-adjustable base; the solarpanel being mounted onto the solar panel stand; the solar panel beingelectrically connected to the rechargeable battery; the rechargeablebattery being electrically connected to the motor through the polarityreversing switch and the remote control signal receiver; the remotecontrol signal receiver being electronically connected to the polarityreversing switch; the remote control being communicably coupled to theremote control signal receiver; the motor being torsionally connected tothe reel interface; the solar panel being adhered to the solar panelstand; a rotation shaft; the motor being mechanically coupled to thegear train, wherein the motor rotatably drives the gear train; the geartrain being mechanically coupled to the rotation shaft, wherein the geartrain rotatably drives the rotation shaft; the rotation shaft beingaxially connected to the reel interface; the solar panel stand beingrotatably mounted onto the unit housing by the incremental rotationmechanism; and the incremental rotation mechanism being a hermetic sealbetween the solar panel stand and the unit housing.
 14. The apparatusfor controlling the cover used on pools as claimed in claim 13comprises: the rotation shaft traversing out of the unit housing; andthe reel interface being concentrically positioned onto the rotationshaft.
 15. The apparatus for controlling the cover used on pools asclaimed in claim 13 comprises: the gear train comprises an input gear, aplurality of intermediate gears, and an output gear; the input gearbeing rotatably and internally mounted within the unit housing; theplurality of intermediate gears being rotatably and internally mountedwithin the unit housing; the output gear being rotatably and internallymounted within the unit housing; the motor being axially connected tothe input gear; the input gear being engaged to the plurality ofintermediate gears; the plurality of intermediate gears being seriallyengaged to each other; the plurality of intermediate gears being engagedto the output gear; and the rotation shaft being axially connected tothe output gear.
 16. The apparatus for controlling the cover used onpools as claimed in claim 13 comprises: the height adjustable basecomprises a base plate, a first tubular section, and a second tubularsection; the first tubular section being connected normal to the baseplate; the second tubular section being telescopically engaged with thefirst tubular section, opposite to the base plate; and the unit housingbeing rotatably mounted onto the second tubular section, opposite to thefirst tubular section.
 17. The apparatus for controlling the cover usedon pools as claimed in claim 16 comprises: a screw locking mechanism;the screw locking mechanism comprises an at least one screw and aplurality of receiving holes; the plurality of receiving holestraversing through the second tubular section; the plurality ofreceiving holes being distributed along the second tubular section; theat least one screw positioned into one of the plurality of receivingholes; and the at least one screw being fixed to the first tubularsection.